Oscar Stew

The beautiful streamers and balloons that graced the sleeping chambers of the Zebra were quite a sight to behold. Unfortunately, the timing was off. Don’t get me wrong, the decorations were up for Rowan’s big 3rd birthday, but does she look like she’s ready to party? cough, cough…

Got a nasty cough & cold Roastie? That’s too bad. What is that I see peeking out from under your eye?

Ouchy, nice shiner!  She earned that badge of courage a few days before in a heated battle with a bathtub fixture.

It was apparent that a big fancy cake and presents were the last thing on her mind. That’s ok, we can defer the festivities for another day. But a cupcake is the least we can do while you’re down in the dumps. Feel better soon ok?!

Ahh, there’s my Ro-diggity! It’s only been a couple of days and she’s feeling brand new. That feeling can’t help but be intensified by the creation right in front of her! Keep an eye on Daddy! He might swipe a lick of frosting! Hey, it looks like you’re the one doing the swiping!

The real point of keeping Rowan involved with the cake is that the elements of surprise are being taken care of upstairs. Make sure you use up all of that crusty old Christmas wrapping paper! We don’t want any snow-related holiday reminders sitting around the house in June! 

What’s for lunch? Sugar-baked Zebra head. Yum!

Happy turd birthday Rowan! Turd? Yeah, don’t be a turd; blow those candles out and let’s eat! 

How’s that zebra head taste? A little gamey?

Well, it doesn’t seem to bother this wild animal…

She must have heard that her presents were ready, because now she’s just stuffing it down the hatch. Whoa cute-striped-pony, whoa!

Oooh and you covered your mouth! How lady-like!

The shades were a much needed replacement for her old broken ones. Meanwhile, Rowan’s stable of hoofed animals seems to have no limit. She’s got 6 different forms of zebra…and now she’s breaking into horses?! 

I wonder if Rowan will work with animals when she’s older. She seems to love all creatures…with the exception of bugs. She might be tough, rough, and full of fire, but she’s a girly girl at heart.

Remember when I said rough? That wild appetite cannot be tamed!

Rowan have you put on some weight, or is that just a Zebra hiding under your shirt? Ha! Looking good Roastie!

When the weather gets crafty (read: crappy) and our outdoor plans are turned to squash, we get pretty bored staring at our colorful walls. When it’s cold outside, there’s nothing better than cooking up a great meal! All it takes is for someone to pull out a cutting board and the kitchen converts to a Keebler elf tree house.

This mischievous little nymph wanted to get her hands dirty and help make eggplant parmesan. Take it away Rowan; I’ve never been a fan of the egg wash! Slimy!

This little fairy’s wings must be clipped. Don’t look at me with that face! Yeah, yeah…you are so neglected!

Eggplant parm phase 2. Lookin’ good! Show that vegetable who’s boss…

Ah-ha! Your true identity has been revealed, little troll! Your hypnotic wailing won’t work on me this time! Can’t you find a cupboard or something to get into? I’m working here…

Make sure that eggplant gets evenly coated in bread crumbs Rowan, nobody likes a soggy eggplant! It’s got to be as crunchy as your tree huggin’ mama!

Brinley tried to remember what it was like to have the warm summer air blow through her hair while her side dish went round & round. That’s not a tumor; it’s a double-chin!

Chef Drew, would you care to enlighten us? “This is how I dice olives. I don’t make the horizontal cuts in toward the pit after making the downward cuts.  So I make the vertical slices, and then just start the dicing. It naturally falls apart. Then I run the knife through the pile of dice just for good measure.” What did he say? 

No touchy touchy Rowan, we’ve got to save those olives for dinner. And that spatula is lookin’ pretty weird…

Rowan, caught red-handed! Check out the blur of intense focus on Drew’s face, I told you he takes his food seriously! Doesn’t look like our beloved spatula will live to see another taco Tuesday…

Good thing we have a backup spatula, otherwise Brinley would be a hand-flipping little tortilla girl, and that just sounds dangerous…

How’s that taco taste Nellie? Hey, if you don’t like it take it up with the captain, but don’t shoot the cooks!

There is no one in our family that comes anywhere close to being as independent, self-reliant, and determined as Rowan. It doesn’t matter how difficult or dangerous the challenge, she is up to the task. She usually finds her own unique way to get the job done. And that is one of the many reasons why we love her so!

If your little hands lack the dexterity to open a candy wrapper, find scissors.

If you want to help with the laundry, put yourself in a position to get picked up.

We don’t have cable/satellite, so the only channels that are on are the soaps. Don’t judge!

How long a minute is depends on which side of the door you’re on. Rock on with your potty-trained self!

I know it’s your favorite food, but the cottage cheese is all gone Roastie. Sorry!

Well lookee here! After scraping the container for 5 minutes you actually came up with a decent bite! Have at it!

Yeah don’t transfer it to your plate, just hork it right off the mega-spoon. There’s less chance of losing any that way. Do you have a mother? Tell her to tame that mop!

Once Rowan discovered the location of the chocolate chips, she also found that descending from the third shelf with a full load was impossible. No problemo! 

Sesame crackers and chocolate chips: The snack of champions.

Crack is what happens when your parents buy your clothes a size too big to accommodate your enormous cloth diaper booty. And then you go and potty train yourself. Way to go girl!

Rowan enjoys mandarin oranges with her cottage cheese. Who needs an official cup when you can take care of business all by yourself? That’s my Rowan!